University of Surrey: Intensifying the Experience of International Students

HER Team
Prof. Vince Emery, Senior Vice-President University of Surrey
Getting a homelike environment away from home is complete bliss for the one who determines to fly abroad in the pursuit of their dream study programme. Established on 9 September 1966, the University of Surrey is housing 200 Indian students out of a total population of some 15,800 students and offering the perfect set-up an Indian student long for in a foreign country. "We are aware of the employability quotient around the world and so accord a substantial gravity in providing employment for our students through education which is relevant to the industry," shares Prof. Vince Emery, Senior Vice-President, University of Surrey. In the latest QS world rankings of universities for employability, the University of Surrey has been ranked in the 121-130 zone.

The University has more than 2,300 professional partners and a score of more than 95 percent graduate employability for the past five years, which makes it one of the most sought-after learning destinations for the students all over. The students of Surrey from the very beginning of their course are impelled to take up project work and ease their learning by making the curriculum grounded in the

'real world' using pertinent contemporary examples to illustrate areas of pedagogy.

Regarded as one of the UKs leading research universities, the University of Surrey has been the platform for many developments and discoveries

Encompassing a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the University focuses on a multi-disciplinary study, which will enable the students to adapt themselves to the ever-changing landscape of 21st-century education. Additionally, the multi-cultural campus of the University helps each student to gain values like tolerance, teamwork and adaptability, which are considered as the core elements in a working environment. "The curriculum of each course is designed in a manner where there is a blend of skills and competencies along with a high quality basic understanding of theoretical learning," opines Prof. Emery."We have also recently installed 'lecture capture' in our main lectures theatres and rooms which allows the student to access a full real-time audio dialogue to accompany the slides on our virtual learning environment."

Among the many USPs of the university, one is its approach of allowing undergraduate students to undergo a one year professional placement as part of their degree. Learning while doing is now acknowledged worldwide where the employers seek for a minimum duration of working experience in the employee's resume, making surety of their readiness of working in a 'real-work environment'. During this period, students can complete a Professional Training Year (PTY) where the university provides a network of PTY tutors who will be responsible for addressing the doubts of the students by visiting them away from the university.

Pioneer in Contemporary Research-Culture

Regarded as one of the UK's leading research universities, the University of Surrey has been the platform for many developments and discoveries. The University of Surrey is also the brainchild behind initiating one of the world's first research centers dedicated to mobile communications and future internet technologies, the 5G Innovation Center (5GIC), which is home to over 150 researchers and 100 PhD students. Recognising the university's effort, the development has been awarded $11.6 million in UK Government investment along with the recent investment of further $10 million ensuring 5G research at the forefront of world science all over. "5GIC at the University of Surrey is the largest UK academic research center in this area of study and is working relentlessly to maintain the status through considerable meaningful research" says Prof. Emery.

A Paradise for Indian Students

The students of the University of Surrey get access to team-up with the brightest people in their fields and have access to a very energetic and vibrant learning environment irrespective of their cultural difference.

Presently the students from India are studying a variety of courses in the campus, although there is a particular inclination towards engineering and MBA. "We provide guaranteed accommodation for our international students in their first year of study (at all levels) for making their stay in the university hassle-free", claims says, Prof. Emery. The University also supports Indian students who aspire to study a Masters programme by providing The Surrey International Scholarship for Excellence, which awards between 2,000 and 4,000.

The University has a strong student's union, which consists of country-specific societies, including the Indian Students' Association, which participates in international galas and also organizes other events showcasing Indian culture that is open to all students who share a common interest.

The University has a strong network of 750 Indian alumni and wishes to further enhance the interactions with them through increasing the international alumni activities in Asia. "Today our students are placed in top organizations and hold senior positions. Just to name a few of our Indian alumni, we would like to mention Mr. Kalimuthu Arumugam who is the country director of Water for People India division and Mr. Ugranath Chakarvarty who is the program Facilitator for the UNCTAD-Empretec Programme for India," shares Prof. Emery.

Considering the welcoming nature of the University, several achievements, and employability element, today it would not be wrong to say that the University of Surrey is definitely an optimal choice for Indian students who aspire to study abroad.

Prof. Vince Emery, Senior Vice-President

Started his career as a biochemist, Vince Emery is the Senior Vice-President (Global Strategy and Engagement) and Professor of Translational Virology at the University of Surrey and holds an Honorary Professorship of Virology at University College London (UCL). Vince has published in excess of 225 research articles, reviews, and books. Recently he was also been chosen as a Fellow of the American Society of Transplantation (FAST).

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